Rite of Passage: Embrace of Ember Lake Collector's Edition > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

22 of 26 found this review helpful

At the Lake.

PostedFebruary 8, 2021

RPgames

fromNM

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This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I like this game. Not the best game as it was a little slow. The reason I went back and forth on giving it a 4 star or 5. As can be seen I gave it a 5 since I did enjoy playing the main game.
the bonus game was slow and short but the other bonus parts were good for once as to many new games don't have any.
The game was similar to other Hidden Object you search for items while you go through the ...Show more

I like this game. Not the best game as it was a little slow. The reason I went back and forth on giving it a 4 star or 5. As can be seen I gave it a 5 since I did enjoy playing the main game.
the bonus game was slow and short but the other bonus parts were good for once as to many new games don't have any.
The game was similar to other Hidden Object you search for items while you go through the game which always surprises me when others complain about searching for items It is a Hidden Object plain and simple so don't get the game if you don't like doing this.
I did skipped puzzles since I could not figure out the answers.Some I could not see what was going on but others might not have that problem.
To me it was not spooky at all or suspenseful but a good steady game.
The actor's didn't seem computerized. But the daughters voice is familiar and good job of acting in my thoughts.
I don't give to many low star scores because I try the game first and if I don't like it I don't bother playing it. I also don't like grading a game that I don't finish since it is not fair . There might be a game I stop playing after a short play trial and it turned out to be good game I just didn't give it a chance so that is the reason to not rate a game I don't finish. Show less

I recommend this game!

+18points

22of 26voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

32 of 44 found this review helpful

Perfect for Me

PostedFebruary 4, 2021

MajesticSunset

fromLove Mad Head for PC!

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This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I couldn't wait to buy this, this morning. I was having so much fun I played till I was done. For one, I loved looking for the collectible and morph in every scene. Not too easy and not to hard. They have the hops I Love with morphs!

When I collected everything they gave me a Treasure hunt with 27 items. Then they gave me the Ultimate HO found in three drawers which I can replay. I liked most ...Show more

I couldn't wait to buy this, this morning. I was having so much fun I played till I was done. For one, I loved looking for the collectible and morph in every scene. Not too easy and not to hard. They have the hops I Love with morphs!

When I collected everything they gave me a Treasure hunt with 27 items. Then they gave me the Ultimate HO found in three drawers which I can replay. I liked most of the puzzles.

I can replay 15 hops, the achievements are do-able. 27 collectible crystals, 27 morphs during game play, another 15 morphs in the hops, 27 Treasure hunt and the Ultimate Ho. 12 wallpapers, 7 concept art and 10 music. 4 chapters+bonus. Show less

I recommend this game!

+20points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

13 of 16 found this review helpful

Excellent game

PostedFebruary 8, 2021

Innerl

fromOhio

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This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
Key Contributor

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Mad Head is one of my favorite developers and they don't disappoint here. Good story. Sci-fi feel (which I love), great graphics.

I recommend this game!

+10points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

29 of 56 found this review helpful

Rite of Passage: Embrace of Ember Lake Collector's Edition

PostedFebruary 5, 2021

andrewhow350

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I enjoy playing games through this developer because they do large sized games with a lot of detail to see rather than small sized games. I enjoy playing games in this series

I recommend this game!

+2points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

108 of 233 found this review helpful

HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN HALSEY! FIND THE “KEY” TO THE POWER OF YOUR INNER SELF

PostedFebruary 4, 2021

sunnyglow

fromWant to enjoy the “crystal-clear” waters of Ember Lake? You may believe the waters are clear of crystals, but lurking at the bottom of this lake is a hidden infestation of crystals, lying patiently, waiting for you to discover them.

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This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
Key Contributor

Skill Level:Expert

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 37 pages (My Time: 5 Hours)

STORY: Sixteen years ago, your brother found a baby girl along the shores of Ember Lake. He brought her to you to raise. Naming her Halsey, you reared her as your own child and shielded her from the events of that night. Now, her sweet sixteen birthday will be anything but sweet when ...Show more

REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 37 pages (My Time: 5 Hours)

STORY: Sixteen years ago, your brother found a baby girl along the shores of Ember Lake. He brought her to you to raise. Naming her Halsey, you reared her as your own child and shielded her from the events of that night. Now, her sweet sixteen birthday will be anything but sweet when strange powers awaken within her. Strange events are occurring at this lake and they are connected to Halsey. When she is kidnapped by government agents, you are off to visit your brother to uncover the secrets he has kept hidden from you all these years concerning her. Now you must save her and discover the mystery behind her connection to this lake.

OPINION: Welcome back Mad Head Games! Congratulations to this developer on another fantastic sci-fi thriller – one which displays all the quality elements we love about their games! I have been waiting to play this game and was not disappointed. It is a short game, (probably a little too short), but, it has the same quality elements as most of their other games. The gaming script is well-written. The game is a sci-fi delight with the themes, “it came from outer space” combined with that of “the creature from the black lagoon.” The pace is excellent with a variety of activities to keep a player engaged in the game. The graphics are cartoonish and well-reflect the sci-fi theme of the game.

The collectibles are crystals and morphing objects. I found most easy to locate within the scenes. There are indicators on the inventory bar indicating if there are collectibles within the scene. There are morphing objects in the HOP scenes as well. However, I found locating the morphing objects in the HOP scenes a trifle more difficult. At the end of the game, return to the scenes and search for one treasure in each scene of the game. I found these ridiculously easy to locate – they practically jump out of the scene. I do believe these should have been little better hidden so that finding them is more challenging. Upon the completion of the game, there is super-duper ultimate HOP scene available to play. You search for items behind the doors of three cabinets.

MECHANICS:

• Five (5) levels of play including a customized version.
• 11 achievements, most with 3 parts.
• Collect 28 collectibles (crystals) and 42 morphing objects.
• Collect 27 treasures at the end of the game by each scene.
• 4 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 15 HOP scenes.
• Ultimate HOP scene. Silhouette. Search for items in 3 scenes by opening 3 cabinet doors.

BONUS GAME. Feed me Seymour! It is a sequel. It is the Little Lab of Horrors as you play Halsey, all grown up and a college student. She is horrified when her friend Marc introduces her to a biology professor who brought back a crystal from Ember Lake while on vacation. Now he is feeding it with catastrophic results. When the crystal disappears, a shocked and horrified Halsey, is off to retrieve it before it causes more destruction. This is a short chapter. I played the entire chapter in less than a half hour. The game itself if excellent, but I do feel the chapter is a little too short for a collector’s edition. There are only three HOP scenes and three mini-games. The story is excellent, reminiscent of “The Little Shop of Horrors;” however, it could be a little longer.

HOP SCENES: There are fifteen (15) HOP scenes in the game, all of which can be replayed at the end of the game. They vary in style with standard lists of items, silhouettes, matching, and pattern scenes in which items must be found based on a small piece of that time. Each scene has a morphing item within it.

MINI-GAMES: There are eighteen (18) mini-games, none of which can be replayed. They are varied in style and difficulty. I found some extremely easy and others a little more challenging. I feel it is a nice mix of genres and difficulty levels. However, I do wish this developer would provide some of the puzzles to be replayed. I do not want to replay the entire game to replay a puzzle. Personally, I would rather replay a puzzle than a HOP scene.

SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:

A. Sequence puzzle. Push buttons to turn on all fans on a grid. The buttons must be clicked in the proper sequence. 3X – each scene increases in difficulty.
B. Switch puzzle. Switch tokens on each of 3 rings so that tokens match up with the design on each ring.
C. Picture puzzle. Place pieces of a picture into position to reveal a picture.
D. Mathematical puzzle. Place tokens on a roulette board so that the numbers on which 3 tokens are placed equal to 95.
E. Sequence puzzle. Repeat a sequence of directional arrows on a grid.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Lock puzzle. Enter a give code of symbols into a circular grid using a dial to point to them, moving the dial 3, 5, or 7 spaces clockwise.
G. Sequence puzzle. Open 5 doors on a computer screen by pressing on them in the proper sequence. Pressing on one set of doors affects the others. Show less

I recommend this game!

-17points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

135 of 154 found this review helpful

THIS IS AN AMAZING STORY, GIVE IT A CHANCE!

PostedFebruary 4, 2021

pennmom36

fromCrystals are repeating, 3-dimensional arrang of atoms ions or molecules Almost any solid material can crystallize even DNA Snow is near-pure crystallized water when it collects on the ground it acts as a reservoir for atmop. pollutants-mercury & soot

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Skill Level:Expert

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Completed Game approximately 6.0 Hours
(including completion of all puzzles & Bonus Chapter
22 Scene Locations +6 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate

Halsey is just your typical 16-year old girl, except for the fact that she was kidnapped from an experimental laboratory, possesses weird powers, and seems to be the key to the strange crystal growing deep within Ember ...Show more

Completed Game approximately 6.0 Hours
(including completion of all puzzles & Bonus Chapter
22 Scene Locations +6 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate

Halsey is just your typical 16-year old girl, except for the fact that she was kidnapped from an experimental laboratory, possesses weird powers, and seems to be the key to the strange crystal growing deep within Ember Lake. Now it seems everyone else knows about her connection to the crystals that are slowly mutating the nearby residents, but why Halsey?

Morphing Objects/Collectibles (CE version only)
Each of the 27 Scenes, throughout the Main Game and Bonus Chapter, has a Morphing Object and Collectible Crystal. The collectibles are rather large but they both were difficult to find in some of the scenes. There is also a Morphing Object in all of the Hidden Object Scenes, (15) which are definitely not easy to spot! Any missed Hidden Object Scene Morphs can be picked up by replaying the HO's in the extra's menu, which also allows you to better your star or accuracy score.

Graphics & Sound:
The graphics have room for improvement because MHG changed their graphics a while back and they do tend to be large and cartoonish during close-ups or zoom zones. The graphics remind me a lot of the former Eipix developer where they opted to make the scenes bright and colorful but very plain, you are fooled into thinking they are beautiful scenes because of the beautiful color palette but if you pay attention you'll notice that there are no details, buildings don't have individual bricks, for instance, they are smooth surfaces which makes everything seem huge and cold, instead of giving it a warm and cozy feeling.

Hidden Object Scenes:
There are 14 Hidden Object Scenes, +3 HOP's in the CE Bonus Chapter as well as 4 smaller Zoom Zone HO's where you are tasked with finding 6-8 objects shown as silhouetted shapes. This is the one area that MHG's shined, the HO scenes had a good variety of styles and the objects are really well-blended into the scenery. None of the objects are obvious to spot, on HO's by every other developer, I'm able to spot the correct objects without even looking at the list, but that never happened with these HO's! There are a lot of different variations such as Silhouetted Shape Finds, Matching Pairs Finds, Interactive & Listed Item Finds, Symbol Finds (MHG loves their symbols!) Swatches Finds, and Spot The Differences, one of which requires spotting a symbol that was an oddball out of each grouping of symbols. Each of the Main HO Scenes has a Morphing Object that can be picked up within the CE Extra's menus as well, but there are no alternative games available in lieu of HOP's.

Mini-Games:
There are 17 Mini-Games +6 in the CE Bonus Chapter. I really enjoyed them because there were a lot of mechanical type puzzles which are my favorite type. I did deduct a star because you can't replay any of the mini-games! Here are a few of my personal favorites:

1-Connect dots on a phone to combine 2 symbols in a continuous line. x3
2-Click on sections to fill in or stop the flow of the correct colors to paint a mural.
3-Adjust the bandwidth of the yellow wave to match 3 different red waves using vertical & horizontal sliders as well as shape.
4-Place 3 chips onto 3 groups of numbers to equal the sum of 96.
5-Move the mechanical arm using controls to manipulate the switches and following the clues.

Bonus Chapter: (CE version only)
It's been a few years since the incident at Ember Lake and Halsey is excited about her first class at the University...that is, until she discovers that her biology professor brought back a vacation souvenir from Ember Lake! This is a pretty short Chapter spanning 6 scene locations with just 3 additional Hidden Object Scenes and 3 Mini-Games. There are 3 Hidden Object Scene Morphs, 6 Scene Morphing Objects, and 6 Collectible Crystals. After completing the CE Bonus Chapter, you can access the Ultimate Hidden Object puzzle where you'll open 3 cabinets to access 3 HO scenes. You'll also be able to access the Treasure Hunt game where you return to the 27 scenes to find a single Treasure Hunt object.

Collector's Edition Extra's:
12 Wallpapers (not 4!) 7 Concept Art Pictures with a Before/After slider bar, 10 Music Soundtracks, 11 Achievements (6 available in 3 categories) 15 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 27 Collectible Crystals, 27 Scene Morphing Objects, 15 HOP Morphing Objects, an Ultimate HO, 27 Treasure Hunt Objects, 4 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-In Strategy Guide.

Please join us at my new forum at thewoodsforum.boards.net where you can find my series lists, talk about the games and so much more! Show less

I recommend this game!

+116points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

24 of 28 found this review helpful

better than the last 3-4 offerings

PostedFebruary 4, 2021

Daggit12

fromEdmonton, Alberta, Canada

Key Contributor
This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
Key Contributor

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

I thought Mad Head had been sold, so I was expecting quality to drop. Is this a great game? No, but in my humble opinion it was way more enjoyable then several recent games released by other devs. The collectibles are fairly difficult to find (they are engraved rather than being solid). I did not like having to use the cell phone to search for symbols in order to advance the game play, it happens ...Show more

I thought Mad Head had been sold, so I was expecting quality to drop. Is this a great game? No, but in my humble opinion it was way more enjoyable then several recent games released by other devs. The collectibles are fairly difficult to find (they are engraved rather than being solid). I did not like having to use the cell phone to search for symbols in order to advance the game play, it happens twice in the demo(hope that's it). I like the more real world feel(as opposed to made up worlds), and the graphics were clear. Yes, a horn is used to scare a crow, magnet on a rope etc, but I find that the gameplay somehow makes it more tolerable. How I score is, a 2 just for releasing a game, a 3 if I finish the demo, a 4 if I actually enjoy it, a 5 if I know I will be playing it over and over. So, I will probably buy this game, but it will be a pleasant surprised if it is a game I play more than once. Show less

I recommend this game!

+20points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

6 of 6 found this review helpful

A fun game to while away some time

PostedFebruary 6, 2021

danceswithcats

fromThe Emerald City

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle

Current Favorite:

Living Legends Remastered: Frozen Beauty Collector's Edition

(31)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I downloaded the demo on Game Club release day, and I did so even though the game had an average 3-star rating. I decided to give this game a chance because pennmom36 gave it four stars, and she and I share similar tastes in hidden-object adventure games. I'm glad I did, because the demo was fun enough that I went ahead and bought the full game. I found it easy to play--the puzzles were just ...Show more

I downloaded the demo on Game Club release day, and I did so even though the game had an average 3-star rating. I decided to give this game a chance because pennmom36 gave it four stars, and she and I share similar tastes in hidden-object adventure games. I'm glad I did, because the demo was fun enough that I went ahead and bought the full game. I found it easy to play--the puzzles were just challenging enough to be fun without being brain-breakers, which is what I like in a casual game--and I like the storyline as well. Show less

I recommend this game!

+6points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

7 of 8 found this review helpful

It's a good game.

PostedFebruary 4, 2021

kszanz

fromDexter, MO

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

I read all of the negative reviews but decided to try the game anyway. I'm sorry, but I don't agree with those other reviews at all. Yes, there is talking but no more than normal. You have to have some narrative in order to know what's going on. When I finish the trial period without feeling like I'm forcing myself to do so, then that is a pretty game. I really think most people will find this a ...Show more

I read all of the negative reviews but decided to try the game anyway. I'm sorry, but I don't agree with those other reviews at all. Yes, there is talking but no more than normal. You have to have some narrative in order to know what's going on. When I finish the trial period without feeling like I'm forcing myself to do so, then that is a pretty game. I really think most people will find this a fairly good game. Try it. I think you'll like it. Show less

I recommend this game!

+6points

7of 8voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

4 / 5

7 of 10 found this review helpful

FAMILY LOYALITY WITH IMPENDING DISASTER

PostedFebruary 4, 2021

pzubekdw

fromRedford, MI

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

Mother's love for family is sorely tested with mystery, danger, and impending disaster. The storyline has elements of the supernatural. The puzzles are a variety of familiar and tricky. The realistic conversations are refreshing. The story is engaging and should be tried. Big Fish does provide a variety of games for every taste.

I recommend this game!

+4points

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Rite of Passage: Embrace of Ember Lake Collector's Edition

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